Dakota’s 2015 Jazz Big Board 1.0

May 9th, 2015 | by Dakota Schmidt
ESPN.com

ESPN.com

With the upcoming NBA Draft Combine combined with the Draft Lottery on the 20th, I thought that the time was right to add a Jazz-oriented big board alongside my weekly prospect profiles. This big board shouldn’t be looked at as how I’d rank these players in a mock draft, but rather how I’d rank them if I was running the Jazz. For example, a lot of people may consider Jerian Grant as a better NBA prospect than Kevon Looney, but the UCLA product would be a more suitable fit for the Jazz. Also, tier 4 are prospects that I believe that the Jazz could look at if they decide to trade out of the lottery and move towards mid/late 1st round. Finally, you’ll note that I’ve taken out the players that are very unlikely to be around when the Jazz draft at #12.

 

Pick Player Position College Class
1 Kristaps Porzingis PF Sevilla
As I’ve discussed frequently in my draft profiles, the Jazz are in need of a prominent stretch big that they could place alongside either Favors or Gobert. In this draft, Porzingis is probably the best option to fit that role, as the 7’1 center was dominating from the perimeter (45% from 3 during Eurocup), while being mobile enough to cut to the paint. The combination of size and that offensive potential would allow him to be a spectacular 3rd big for the team.
2 Stanley Johnson SF Arizona Freshman
Although Justise Winslow has taken the throne as the best American wing in this year’s draft, Johnson would still be a fantastic fit for the Jazz, as he’s exhibited a unique ability to defend against multiple positions. That versatility combined with his developing perimeter jumper would allow him to be a fantastic rotational piece that will be able to develop alongside of Rodney Hood or Dante Exum
3 Mario Hezonja SG/SF Barcelona
While Rodney Hood and Alec Burks create a pretty threatening duo at the SG position, that still won’t be enough for the Jazz to pass up on Mario Hezonja if he’s still available. The 20-year-old Hezonja really is the perfect modern NBA prospect, as he has a fantastic 6’8 frame, quickness and a solid perimeter jumper. As well, the transition to the NBA might not be such a huge climb for Hezonja, as he’s been playing against top Euro competition since he was 17.
— End tier 1 —
4 Frank Kaminsky PF/C Wisconsin Senior
While not as sexy of a prospect as somebody like Porzingis, Kaminsky could definitely make an immediate and positive impact as Utah’s 3rd big. Like Porzingis, Kaminsky continued to showcase his skills as a dominant perimeter shooter, shooting 42% during his senior season. As well, he has a pretty well-defined post-up game with being able to score from both the left and right block. Although there are some concerns about his defensive potential, his skills on the other end would create a solid inside-outside dynamic with Favors or Gobert.
5 Kevon Looney SF/PF UCLA Freshman
Kevon Looney might be in the midst of tier 2 if he stood an inch or two taller. Despite his 7’2 wingspan, Looney’s 6’9 frame combined with a lack of strength could create some mismatches, at least in the early stages of his NBA career. However, his defensive tenacity and perimeter acumen makes him into an interesting prospect for the Utah Jazz’s #12 pick.
 6 Kelly Oubre SF/PF Kansas Freshman
Although Oubre is in the same freshman class as Justise Winslow or Stanley Johnson, he’s still a few steps behind either prospect. With that said, there’s still a lot to like about Oubre, as he has a tantalizing frame (stands 6’7 with a 7’1 wingspan) with a pretty smooth shooting stroke. However, his pedestrian ball-handling ability combined with not having a great feel for the game makes him more of a project than anything else.
— End tier 2 —
7  Sam Dekker SG/SF Wisconsin Junior
In the case of Utah looking forward to an immediate fit rather than a project like Looney, then Dekker might be the right way to go. Dekker’s size, defensive discipline and ability to work off-ball could allow him to be an immediate fit inside Utah’s rotation. However, I really don’t see him making any improvements that would warrant him making his way towards the Jazz starting lineup, which is why he’s slotted in tier 3.
8 Myles Turner PF/C Texas Freshman
Since my profile on him, I’ve been both hot and cold on Turner as a potential prospect for the Jazz. While on the frame he looks like a strong, 7’0 center that can knock down the perimeter J and block shots, he really wasn’t consistent from either end. With that jumper, Turner only shot 27% from 3, which is a concern because he’s so reliant on that jumper. Meanwhile, Turner really didn’t show anything to make me believe that he can be a solid PnR defender, which is another huge concern. However, I’m sticking him in tier 3 because of his youth (won’t turn 20 until the middle of his rookie season) and potential to be a solid two-way threat.
9 Devin Booker SG/SF Kentucky Freshman
As I talked about in my recent profile piece on him, Devin Booker will have the prettiest jumpers once he lands in the NBA next year. However, the reason why he’s in this tier is because he really doesn’t have anything besides that. Could his jumper help out Utah’s offense? Absolutely, but I’m super hesitant on drafting a specialist in the lottery.
10 Jerian Grant PG/SG Notre Dame Senior
Although the PG position is currently manned by two former lotto picks (Trey Burke and Dante Exum), the Notre Dame stud could still be able to find a role inside the team’s rotation. As a 6’5 guard, Grant is probably one of the more NBA-ready prospects that the Jazz could draft, as he’s a pretty solid facilitator (7.4 assists per 40 minutes). Alongside that, his unique size gives him a lot of potential as a two-way defender.
— End tier 3 —
11 Bobby Portis SF/PF Arkansas Sophomore
As mentioned in the intro, none of the following five players should be considered as options at #12. However, that isn’t a knock on Portis, as he brings a lot to the traits that Quin Snyder and crew seem to love: active defender that can guard multiple positions, be a solid pick-and-roll threat, and to just give 100% whenever he’s on the court. Portis could potentially be best suited in the role that Trevor Booker played. While it’s not too glamorous of a position, it’s an extremely vital role inside the Jazz’s infrastructure.
12 Christian Wood PF UNLV Sophomore
In the rare situation where the Jazz move out of the lottery and are still interested in a 3rd big, Christian Wood might have  the highest upside out of any other front-court prospects. Wood has at least exhibited the potential to score from all areas of the court by possessing a smooth shooting stroke and being a dominant presence on the offensive glass (3.4 offensive boards per 40 minutes). However his lack of defensive awareness and slim frame helps him maintain that “project” label.
13 RJ Hunter SG/SF Georgia State Junior
At least among the non-lottery bound prospects, RJ Hunter should stand as one of the more prolific shooters. While he wasn’t too efficient during his junior season (29% from 3), his range and slick shooting stroke is extremely appealing, especially for a team like Utah. As well, his solid frame (Hunter stands 6’5 with a terrific 6’8 wingspan) could allow him to guard multiple positions in the NBA.
14 Justin Anderson SG/SF Virginia Junior
At least in this year’s draft class, Justin Anderson is probably the best example of a “3-and-D” player. Since his Virginia arrival in 2012-13, Anderson has helped keep the team as one of the finest defensive squads in the nation, as they kept opponents to shoot 40% from inside the perimeter according to KenPom. A big reason for that was because of Anderson, as he used his fantastic frame (stands at 6’6 with a 6’11 wingspan) to defend against multiple positions. As well, Anderson was a pretty standout perimeter threat, as he shot 41% from beyond the arc during his junior season. Because of those traits, he could fill in as a solid piece that Snyder can fit behind Gordon Hayward.
15 Tyus Jones PG Duke Freshman
As I said with Jerian Grant, the Jazz probably won’t be looking for a PG early in the draft, after spending the last two years using their lotto picks on Burke and Exum. However, as Burke has seemingly slotted himself in as a score-first minded weapon off the team’s bench, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to find a player that’s more comfortable with working as a facilitator. Duke freshman Tyus Jones is one of the best examples of that, as he did a terrific job controlled the high-powered National Champions, as he was able to maintain an excellent 2.87 Ast/TO ratio.
16 Trey Lyles PF Kentucky Freshman
Although Lyles has the tools to eventually turn into a solid pick-and-roll threat based around his mobility and general feel for the game, I’m hesitant about putting him too high on this list because of his struggles on the defensive end. It just doesn’t feel like Lyles knows what position he’s supposed to guard, as he spent a lot of time against smaller players, who were able to cut right past him. For a team like Utah that rests on their work on the defensive end, drafting a potential liability in Lyles probably wouldn’t be a good idea, especially after having to watch Enes Kanter struggle on defense for the past three seasons.

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